BB officials work in burnt down office

A total of 25 officials of Bangladesh Bank belonging to Foreign Exchange Policy Department (FEPD) are working in a sweltering environment since the March 23 fire incident that left the workplace entirely unfit for work. The Common Services Department (CSD) of the central bank tasked with maintenance and repairs is yet to take action in this regard. Despite No Objection Certificates (NOCs) obtained from Police, Fire Brigade and other authorities concerned around 45 days ago, CSD is dilly-dallying over its repair move. A Dhaka Tribune visit yesterday by this correspondent found that the executives and officials are doing their office works in a place fully devoid of power, electric fan and even enough ventilation. Seeking anonymity, an FEPD official told the Dhaka Tribune, “We are in an utterly inhuman condition. Even there has not been arranged any fan to beat the sweltering heat in the room. On the other hand, we have to complete our daily work amid such environment.” Sources said the CSD is unnecessarily procrastinating over initiating its repair. It is just exchanging letters among themselves. Asked about when to start repair, CSD-2 General Manager Md Tafazzal Hossain said the work will start very soon as a tender will be floated in the newspaper shortly. When inquired further about providing power connection for the workplace that could at least roll a fan overhead, he said: “We planned to provide power connection for the section, but the CSD-1 has already allocated a place for FEPD officials.” Contacted, CSD-1 General Manager Nahida Begum ran counter to what Tafazzal said. She said: “We are yet to arrange seating for them, but we are trying. We will do that very soon.”